Mizoram stock runs low amid Assam blockade
GUWAHATI: An alleged blockade of National Highway 306 by residents of Assam after a violent showdown last week has left medical stocks and essential supplies dwindling in Mizoram, the small north-eastern state complained on Tuesday.
Since the July 26 clashes that killed seven people, nearly a hundred of trucks are stranded at the interstate border between Assam’s Cachar district and Mizoram’s Kolasib district due to protests by groups on the Assam side. The 90km road between Silchar in Assam and Kolasib in Mizoram serves as a lifeline for the state that has just one rail link. The crisis forced the government to ask residents to not hoard supplies and curtail unnecessary consumption.
“The blockade has affected supply of all commodities, especially medicines. As of now, we
are managing with existing stocks, but if the situation continues longer, it will become difficult for all, especially patients,” said R Lalramnghaka, special secretary, health and family welfare, Mizoram.
Assam and Mizoram share a 164.6km-long disputed border. Police forces of the two states
fought a pitched gun battle at a disputed border in southern Assam on July 26, in which six Assam policemen died. Assam claimed Mizoram police opened fire on its forces who objected to a road being constructed by Mizoram on a patch of forested land it claims. Mizoram claimed the land belongs to it.
Tensions flared up immediately but eased over the weekend after central intervention. On Monday, Assam and Mizoram withdrew cases against each other as both chief ministers spoke of conciliation. But the renewed bonhomie didn’t end the blockade.
The Bharatiya Janata Party rules Assam, and the Mizo National Front, a part of the BJPled North East Democratic Alliance, is in power in Mizoram.
On Monday, Mizoram heath minister R Lalthangliana said that the blockade crimped the supply of life-saving medicines and Covid-19 essentials such as oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant materials and test kits.
He requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah to intervene and prevent a health crisis. The state is battling a recent surge in infections, reporting nearly 500 to 700 cases a day on an average, and is under lockdown for over three months.
Mizoram’s home secretary Vanlalngaihsaka wrote to his counterpart in Assam on Monday urging to allow entry of vehicles stranded on NH306 to Mizoram. “The government of Mizoram gives its assurance for the safety and security of all drivers, passengers and their vehicles,” he wrote. Talking to HT over phone from Aizawl, Vanlalngaihsaka, who also holds charge of the food and civil supplies department, said the state had adequate supply of rice and other cereals at present and some supplies were trickling in from neighbouring Tripura.
Assam officials said efforts were on to persuade residents to remove the blockade. “We have had several rounds of talks with local groups and requested them to remove the blockades so that vehicles can move to Mizoram,” said Ramandeep Kaur, SP of Cachar district, through which NH306 passes.